Our no bake peanut butter balls are crazy easy, just five ingredients and you’re in dessert heaven. We mix peanut butter with powdered sugar and butter, then dunk them in melted chocolate. Kids go nuts for these gluten-free holiday treats.
These chocolate peanut butter bites are off-the-charts amazing! We’ve kept it simple with ingredients you probably already have, and the directions are so kid-friendly that any junior chef can rock this recipe. It’s all about having fun at home, and making easy peanut butter balls that the kids will love.
When kids dive into peanut butter balls, they’re not just making treats, they’re mastering serious kitchen skills, from measuring to mixing, and even getting artsy with the chocolate drizzle. Plus, they can put their own spin on these bad boys (check out some ideas below!). It’s a tasty, hands-on journey for the young chefs in your life.
For more kid approved no bake desserts, check out our No Bake Cheesecake Bites, No-Bake Cookie Dough Bites, and Peanut Butter Pie (No Bake).
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 stick butter, melted
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips ✅
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil ✅
Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.
How To Make Peanut Butter Balls No Bake
In a medium-sized bowl, mix the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and melted butter with a handheld mixer until well blended.
Using a small cookie scoop, roll into 1-inch balls. Place onto a baking pan lined with parchment paper and place into the freezer or refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Melt the chocolate
Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil into a microwave-safe mixing bowl.
Heat in 30-second increments stirring in between until melted. Don’t overcook.
Dip the peanut butter balls
Place a peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate with a fork, covering it with chocolate. Let the extra chocolate drop off, tapping the fork on the side of the bowl to remove excess chocolate.
Place it back onto the baking sheet using a butter knife to carefully remove it. Repeat until all the balls are coated.
OPTIONAL: Use the fork to drizzle extra chocolate across the peanut butter balls to add a decorative chocolate drizzle on top. You can thin the chocolate by stirring in a little extra coconut oil if needed.
Chill
Set the peanut butter balls aside to harden or place them into the refrigerator.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Use Good Quality Ingredients: Start with high-quality peanut butter, chocolate chips, and real butter. It can make a significant difference in flavor and texture.
- Room Temperature Butter: Allow the melted butter to cool slightly before combining it with the other ingredients. This helps prevent a greasy texture in the peanut butter mixture.
- Mixing Well: Use a handheld mixer or stand mixer to thoroughly blend the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and butter. Ensure there are no lumps or streaks in the mixture for a consistent texture.
- Chill the Dough: After rolling the peanut butter mixture into balls, chilling them in the freezer or refrigerator is crucial. This step helps the balls hold their shape and makes them easier to dip in chocolate.
- Don’t Overheat Chocolate: When melting chocolate, use 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring between each one. Be cautious not to overheat the chocolate, as it can become scorched and grainy.
- Dipping Technique: Use a fork to dip the peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate. Gently tap the fork to remove excess chocolate. Ensure each ball is evenly coated, and any excess chocolate drips back into the bowl.
- Decorative Drizzle: To add an extra flair, drizzle more chocolate over the peanut butter balls with a fork. You can thin the chocolate by stirring in a little extra coconut oil if it starts to thicken.
- Chilling Again: Allow the chocolate-covered peanut butter balls to harden properly. Place them in the refrigerator for faster results or leave them at room temperature, but this may take a bit longer.
- Storage: Store the peanut butter balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can also be frozen for longer-term storage.
- Get Creative: Feel free to customize your peanut butter balls by adding sprinkles, crushed nuts, or a dusting of powdered sugar for an extra touch of flavor and fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use creamy or chunky peanut butter. Pick your preference or what you have at home.
Mix-ins are a fantastic way for your kids to put their own twist on this recipe. You can encourage them to add in any desired ingredient when the peanut butter is added to the bowl.
A single batch will make approximately 30 peanut butter balls depending on the size of the cookie scoop.
Storage Instructions
Store peanut butter balls in the fridge in an airtight container up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Creating a double or triple recipe and storing the rest is a great way to keep gluten-free treats on hand, especially around the holidays and special occasions.
As you host or attend events, you can easily grab these peanut butter balls from the fridge or freezer.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- Mix in sprinkles, chopped nuts or shredded coconut into the peanut butter mixture. This can be a fun surprise when family and friends take a bite into the peanut butter ball.
- Add colored sprinkles to the top after dipping in chocolate for a festive touch.
- When melting chocolate, wear oven mitts when removing or placing the bowl into the microwave.
- Chilling the peanut butter batter helps to harden the dough, making it easier to dip and drizzle the chocolate.
More Gluten Free Peanut Butter Recipes
- Peanut Butter Pie (No Bake)
- Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies
- Gluten Free Peanut Butter Balls
- Gluten Free Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
- Peanut Butter Powder Smoothie
- Peanut Butter Fudge
- Oatmeal Peanut Butter Balls
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
No Bake Peanut Butter Balls
Equipment
- Small cookie scoop
- fork
- butter knife
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 stick butter, melted
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips ✅
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil ✅
Instructions
- ⭐️Blend the peanut butter, sugar, and butter. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and melted butter with a handheld mixer until well blended. Using a small cookie scoop, roll into 1-inch balls. Place onto a baking pan lined with parchment paper and place into the freezer or refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.1 cup peanut butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 stick butter, melted
- ⭐️Melt the chocolate. Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil into a microwave-safe mixing bowl. Heat in 30-second increments stirring in between until melted. Don't overcook.2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- Dip the peanut butter balls. Place a peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate with a fork, covering it with chocolate. Let the extra chocolate drop off, tapping the fork on the side of the bowl to remove excess chocolate. Place it back onto the baking sheet using a butter knife to carefully remove it. Repeat until all the balls are coated. OPTIONAL: Use the fork to drizzle extra chocolate across the peanut butter balls to add a decorative chocolate drizzle on top. You can thin the chocolate by stirring in a little extra coconut oil if needed.
- Chill. Set the peanut butter balls aside to harden or place them into the refrigerator.
Notes
- Mix in sprinkles, chopped nuts or shredded coconut into the peanut butter mixture.
- Use creamy or chunky peanut butter.
- Add colored sprinkles to the top after dipping in chocolate for a festive touch.
- Store in the fridge up to 1 week or in the freezer up to 3 months.
Leave a Reply